Part of the appeal of abstract art for me is the beautiful textures that artists can create either by using thickly applied paint or modeling paste. I have done some work with knives and thick tube paint and have been pleasantly surprised by the complex feel that results.
Complexity is a first attempt at using modeling paste to create a textured background on stretched canvas. I then followed up with successive layers of paint using stiff bristle brushes and knives. The initial layers were the darkest hues (pthalocyanine blue, violet, alizarin crimson, burnt sienna) followed by the light (cadmium orange, Hansa yellow light, light blue). The brightest highlights were iridescent copper paint applied with a knife dragged lightly over the surface. It took 5-6 applications to get the right contrast between the dark background and the reflective lights.
Complexity, Acrylic on stretched canvas, 16"x20", $100
This piece started with no notion of the end result. Recently I have been studying some of the works of Mark Rothko whose mastery of color was exemplary. Though many of Rothko's works appear to be solid blocks of color, this is hardly the case. On closer study, it is possible to detect the complex mixes of hues and tones layered together to create stunning effects.
Rainforest started with thin layers of yellow, orange and sienna, laid on quickly with a 2 inch brush. All subsequent work was done with a knife even before the background colors had completely dried. This allowed me to push and pull the paint so that it went on in broken strokes as it dragged over the tacky background. The forest-like image began to appear rather quickly and from there on I mixed some thickening gel with the final layers to give more texture to the paint.
As always I wondered if I had stopped too soon. But I think I will leave this one alone.
Rainforest, Acrylic on stretched canvas, 16"x20", $100
The past few weeks I have mainly been posting abstracts though, as the regular readers know, I am most interested in where I began my painting journey - landscapes. So even while making a number of abstracts, I have kept doing landscape work which I expect to post during the next few weeks.
Winding River tries to synthesize the use of varying tones to create depth and form in the picture with impressionist brushwork that is high-energy and very visible. Blending is kept to a minimum and despite layers of color being applied the background colors, including bits of the white canvas, can still show through.
Winding River, Acrylic on canvas board, 11"x14", $75
